Alberto Manguel's "A History Of Reading" has so far delivered exactly what its title promises, although, following the caveat on page 23, it "skips chapters, browses, selects, rereads, refuses to follow conventional order." The organization of the book, by chapters focusing on specific subsets of the subject, including silent reading, being read to, and the shape of books, among others, seems to me a more logical one than a strict historical time line. In a way, its organization reflects its subject matter almost as well as the actual content: the flow of the book seems to me a reader friendly way to approach the topic. I know personally that, though an avid reader I may be, history tends to intimidate me with its heavy emphasis on whens and wheres, but I remain fascinated by historical details once separated from this confusing entanglement. This is exactly what Manguel has done for his readers: he provides the interesting details of the history while removing the pressure of conventional historical exactitude.
My personal favorite chapter so far has been Metaphors of Reading, which begins on page 163. It discusses the symbolic implications of reading, something Manguel describes when discussing Walt Whitman as "an act whose meaning he expanded until it served to define every vital human activity, as well as the universe in which it all took place." (168) This depiction of reading I feel mirrors the earlier sentiments of readers as a community, as in the books opening images, and also communicates the vital emotional and even spiritual place that the written word holds in the lives of devoted readers everywhere, myself included.
Trista,
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your observance of the structure of Manguel's text. I was not able to put my finger on the precise reason why I found his work so easy to read. However, now that you point out the absence of a strict time line I realize it plays a huge role. I too dread the traditional history textbook.
Also, I was struck by the "Metaphors of Reading" chapter as well. Manguel certainly provides several supports for his notion that "the function of reading is associated with our other essential bodily functions"(170). By going from general ideas on 170 to more specific examples continued on 171 I was enabled to grasp the idea much more readily. The quote he inserted from Queen Elizabeth I was particularly convincing.
Trista,
ReplyDeleteManguel does indeed "provide the interesting details of the history," as he presents his fascinating monograph on the history of reading. I love the little vignettes he incorporates to illustrate his points. On page 225 Manguel mentions the collection of children's books in a stationery shop near his childhood home. The books were color-coded with green covers designating the ones appropriate for boys and pink covers for those books deemed proper for young ladies. He and his female cousin were forced to rely on each other when they wanted a particular book from the "wrong" collection. This rather insignificant story speaks volumes!
Trista,
ReplyDeleteI agree that Manguel does an very good job of dividing the chapters into easily understandable sections. He makes history easier by relating to his own personal experiences and the experiences of others.
Metaphors of Reading is a good chapter because it does a very good job of summing up Manguel's point especially through Walt Whitman's quote. Reading is a "vital activity", which foils Crain's article where Proust states that reading is an "unnatural" activity. I find the different ideas of the writer to be interesting.
Also Trista, don't be intimidated by reading, embrace it! :)